The Intergovernmental Relations Committee, composed of all council members, unanimously passed a resolution calling on Village Voice Media, which operates Backpage.com, to shut down the section. The resolution cited how Craigslist banned sexually related ads in 2010 after similar pressure. The resolution will be put to a council vote Aug. 17.

The council also voted to pass a resolution that supports legislation that works to end the sexual exploitation of children by creating a sytem that responds to their needs.

Council member Elizabeth Glidden, who oversees the committee, said she spearheaded the resolutions after being interested in the issue for some time. "These are vulnerable kids who are victimized," she said in an email.